INT image of a high-redshift supernova 
 
A high-redshift supernova (arrow)

INT image of a high-redshift type Ia supernova thousands of millions of light years away. When a star explodes as a type Ia supernova its brightness is similar to the host galaxy. This latter feature along with the possibility of calibrating their maximum brightness, make type Ia supernovae the best known standard candles to investigate the geometry and the dynamics of our Universe.